Here Are All the Macs Compatible With macOS Catalina

[HVDynamo]

Maybe you can help me out, I need to get a "new" mac because at 2010 my current one is "un-updatable". The Mac guy I "thought" I trusted told me after Mojave "no one will be able to update new OS's anymore", but based on what I read here about OS Catalina, should I get a 2015, or '17, I should be good to go...at least for a few years? Yes, no? What is the "real" issue if you can't update? This guy told me security...Thanks for any help!

Although Apple doesn't call this out obviously, they typically support 3 years of OS's with security updates, so a mac that can only run Sierra today would still get a security update, but otherwise they do not receive bug fixes or any other type of update after the new OS is released. So after Catalina is released, High Sierra will still be getting security updates for another year, but Sierra is now out in the cold. So basically you still have ~2 years of secure usage once the first version that doesn't run on your machine is released.

As much as I prefer the 2015 design to the newer ones, it's a hard sell now because it is 4 years old already and that much closer to the chopping edge of support. But for the right price it would be a good deal. Unfortunately, you have to make that call yourself and decide if you think it's worth it. I'm not sure what your Mac guy meant by no one being able to update new OS's anymore after Mojave, that statement doesn't make sense. Most new versions of the OS have lost support for some older machines each year, and I don't see that trend stopping or changing in the foreseeable future even though I would much prefer to go back to 2-3 year long release cycles on MacOS.

 

[MacPeasant123]

So my iMac made the cut, not I just need to find money for new Office and Adobe software, but the bigger issue might be things like HandBrake which is not likely to be updated to 64bit any time soon.

I have HandBrake version 1.2.0 and it's 64-bit. On their website they list version 1.2.2 being available for download, so give that a shot.

https://handbrake.fr/

 

[Yebubbleman]

Maybe you can help me out, I need to get a "new" mac because at 2010 my current one is "un-updatable". The Mac guy I "thought" I trusted told me after Mojave "no one will be able to update new OS's anymore", but based on what I read here about OS Catalina, should I get a 2015, or '17, I should be good to go...at least for a few years? Yes, no? What is the "real" issue if you can't update? This guy told me security...Thanks for any help!

It sounds like your Mac guy tried to dumb it down for you and did a poor job of it.

Here's the deal:

Each of these operating systems has a set list of Macs that can run the installer for said operating systems.

For Sierra and High Sierra, your limits were iMacs and MacBooks from Late 2009 and onward; Mac minis, Mac Pros and MacBook Pros from Mid 2010 and onward; and MacBook Airs from Late 2010 and onward. So if your Mac was one of those Macs or newer, it could run macOS High Sierra (10.13).

For macOS Mojave (10.14), the limit is any Mac introduced from Mid 2012 or newer. Mac Pros from Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 were also allowed to run Mojave so long as they used an upgraded video card that Apple supported. If your Mac wasn't introduced in Mid 2012 or newer (or was a 2010 or 2012 Mac Pro tower with an upgraded video card), you can't upgrade to macOS Mojave.

For macOS Catalina (10.15), the limit is the same as with Mojave, except now Apple isn't supporting the Mid 2010 or Mid 2012 Mac Pro towers anymore.

I don't know what Mac you have, but if you do meet the requirements for Sierra/High Sierra, but not Mojave or Catalina, then you cannot upgrade past High Sierra (10.13.6). If this scenario describes you with your Mac, then you have one more year in which Apple will issue security patches for High Sierra before dropping support altogether. Being two versions behind you may already be experiencing software that won't support High Sierra anymore.

Similarly, if you are rocking a Mid 2010 or Mid 2012 Mac Pro and you happen to have upgraded your video card with an Apple-supported card, and are rocking Mojave right now, you will not be able to upgrade past Mojave on that machine. You will have two more years in which Apple will issue security patches for Mojave before dropping support altogether.

As for what Mac you should get to replace your current Mac, I'd buy as new as you can. The 2015 MacBook Pros are nice (save for the recall that was just announced on the 15"), but they're now three generations of processor technology behind (for the 13"; five generations of processor technology behind for the 15") and you will get to the point you're probably at right now that much sooner. I wouldn't bother with a 2017 MacBook Pro as it isn't any better in any regard than the current crop. If you want a decent deal on a new Mac, might I recommend you go here: https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac

 

[Tech198]

"But,, But Dashboard is gone..."

 

[jmille44]

2010 Mac Pro checking in. Any new updates?

 

[jmille44]

My 2010 5.1 is ready for the next MACOSX. Will it be compatible? Steve Jobs would allow it. If I have to buy another graphics card to be compatible I will. Mojave runs faster on this Mac than a new one.

 

[saqibhasan]

I’m not upgrading because I use Aperture which is not compatible with this version so I’ll be staying on Mojave..

I do too but have you tried skylum’s
Luminar? It’s the first time I’ve been impressed enough to consider leaving aperture at this stage.

 

[jlocker]

Going to be ordering my new MBP 16" when it gets released. This will last me 5 years. Remember people if you have old hardware you can trade it in and get a new system. Better, faster cooler!!!!!!

 

[TheSkywalker77]

Going to be ordering my new MBP 16" when it gets released. This will last me 5 years. Remember people if you have old hardware you can trade it in and get a new system. Better, faster cooler!!!!!!

My 2012 MBP runs just fine, and I greatly prefer it to the newer machines. If it loses support next year then I'll use dosdude1's patcher to install 10.16 onto my machine.

 

[mansley12]

I have a Macbook pro mid 2011. I went through the steps by dosdude1 to force the upgrade to Catalina and other than forcing the intel graphics card, the operating systems runs just fine. I've been running it for about 10 days with no complaints. I installed the new version on a partition just in case. I can switch at boot to Sierra and run the 32-bit apps when this version won't!

Dark mode, introduced in the last version, it awesome!

 

[mansley12]

I have HandBrake version 1.2.0 and it's 64-bit. On their website they list version 1.2.2 being available for download, so give that a shot.

https://handbrake.fr/

Just partition your hard drive and install the latest version there. It is not ideal, but you can switch boot at startup with the option key and change from the old macos and the new macos depending on what you need to do (i.e. load a 32 bit app).